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Journey Jerusalem

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“When the days for His being taken up were fulfilled, He resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem.� luke 9:51

Father Mark Toups

It is the prayer of The Institute for Priestly Formation that this devotional resource leads you into a deeper encounter with Jesus during this season of Lent. The series is also available as an audio podcast as an added convenience. Visit

www.priestlyformation.org / jtoj-audio to listen on your computer, smartphone or other digital device. You may also want to take the time to explore our resource section for other valuable material to assist you in falling more deeply in love with God.

Journey to Jerusalem the

a lenten retreat

Š 2012 Fr. Mark Toups.

Permission required for duplication.

Journey to Jerusalem WELCOME

Welcome to Lent.

The season of Lent has ancient Apostolic roots. The writings of Saint Athanasius, Saint Cyril of Alexandria, and Saint Cyril of Jerusalem give us a glimpse of a retreat-like preparation for non-Christians who were to be Baptized and fully initiated into the Church at Easter. By the close of the 4th century, Lent was an established liturgical season—a sacred time of inner pilgrimage mirroring the 40-day journeys of Noah, Moses, and Christ himself. While popularly understood as a time where we “give up” our favorite things, Lent is much more than abstinence from soda, snacks, or sweets. Lent is a time of inner transformation. You might say the outward expressions of penance and fasting are meant to pour forth from the inner breakthroughs in our relationship with Christ.

Nowhere else is this more poetically prayed than in the first Lenten Preface for the Eucharistic Prayer as we pray, “each year your faithful await the sacred paschal feasts with the joy of minds made pure so that more eagerly intent on prayer ... we may be led to the fullness of grace that you bestow on your sons and daughters.”

Yes, welcome to Lent.

Lent is a time where the joy of our minds is made pure.

Lent is a time where we are more eagerly intent on prayer.

Lent is a time where the fullness of grace is bestowed on us.

LENT At the time of Jesus, Jerusalem was the center of the world. Jerusalem housed the majestic Jewish Temple whose inner courtyard enthroned the most sacred Holy of Holies. Jerusalem was a cosmopolitan capital of Israel—governmentally and religiously—with Roman procurators and Jewish high priests contentiously at odds. Jerusalem was a booming city of 80,000 citizens with businesses, markets, and commerce flourishing. i

Journey to Jerusalem Passover was the great Jewish feast that recalled the events of Israel’s journey from slavery to freedom. Passover was the birth of Israel’s Exodus. As the Exodus was the most sacred story in Jewish history, the remembrance of Passover was the most sacred of all celebrations.

During the annual celebration of Passover, the walls of Jerusalem swelled as approximately 1.25 million pilgrims headed for Mount Zion. Thus, as Passover neared, Jews from all over Israel were preparing—and journeying to Jerusalem.

In the days preceding his death, Jesus was preparing for Passover.

However, as he was to be the new, unblemished sacrificial lamb, Jesus was aware that it would be his blood that would lead people from slavery to freedom—from the slavery of sin to the freedom of redemption. Thus, in Luke 9:51 we read, “When the days for his being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem.”

The time had come. Jesus was ready. And, he knew where the last 40 days of his life would end—Jerusalem. With his mission inching toward fulfillment, Jesus was “resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem.”

It was in Jerusalem that Isaiah’s Bridegroom would wed himself forever to his Bride. It was in Jerusalem that the Old Testament prophecies of the Suffering Servant would be fulfilled. It was in Jerusalem that the Son of Man would suffer greatly, be killed, and bring to fulfillment the promise of a New Passover.

In the last 40 days of his life—in the very first Lent—Jesus was on a journey, a Journey to Jerusalem. Thus, the next 40 days of our life will be immersed in the last 40 days of his life.

So, welcome to retreat—for our lives will be changed. Welcome to Lent—where the fullness of grace is bestowed on us.

Welcome to the journey—a journey with Christ, a journey to a new Passover, a Journey to Jerusalem. ii

Journey to Jerusalem HOW TO USE THIS RESOURCE Journey to Jerusalem is a resource that you can use to go on retreat in the midst of your busy life. People go on retreat all the time, and people go on lots of different retreats. Some retreats are at monasteries, others are at retreat centers, and still others are at churches. Regardless of how or where, retreat is essentially a time in a person’s life where they commit to being present to God—to pray, to listen, and to receive.

But, you’re busy, and you can’t get away, right? That’s okay. This retreat is just for you. While you may not be able to get away for several days, the mere fact that you’re reading this right now is a sign that you’re hungry for more. If you want to reconnect with God and want some help in doing so, this “retreat” is just for you.

GETTING STARTED The first thing you’ll need is commitment. In John 15:16 we read, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you.” Jesus has called you on retreat. So, when you commit to praying everyday, you commit to a person, Jesus.

Find a place—a room, a church, a park, wherever. Find a place where you can focus on God without distractions.

Next, you’ll need time. Ask Jesus to show you how to find the time.

You are busy, and perhaps in order to find 20-30 minutes each day you may need to sacrifice doing some of your favorite things.

Finally, if you miss a day, forgive yourself and don’t skip ahead. Follow the days in order, even if you miss a day. The meditations build on each other sequentially.

IM AGINATIV E PR AYER Each day’s reflection will end with “FOR YOUR PRAYER.” In this section you will be given a brief Scripture passage to pray with. Read the passage once. Get familiar with the text, the words, etc. Slowly read the passage a second time. Pay attention to how you feel as you read.

Pay attention to which words “strike” you. iii

Journey to Jerusalem Next, use your imagination to pray with the passage. In his book, Meditation and Contemplation, Rev. Tim Gallagher, O.M.V. writes, “In this manner of praying, Saint Ignatius tells us, we imaginatively see the persons in the Bible passage, we hear the words they speak, and we observe the actions they accomplish in the event.” So, jump in the Scripture passage. Be in the scene. Be with Mary. Be with Joseph. Once the “scene” comes to its natural conclusion, continue with A.R.R.R. A. R. R. R. A.R.R.R. stands for—Acknowledge, Relate, Receive, Respond.

You have sat with God’s Word. You have entered into the scene. Now, once you feel God is saying something to you, acknowledge what stirs within you. Pay attention to your thoughts, feelings, and desires. These are really, really important.

Once you’ve acknowledged what’s going on inside your heart, relate that to God. Don’t just think about your thoughts, feelings, and desires. Don’t just think about God. Don’t just think about how God might react. Relate to God. Tell Him how you feel. Tell Him what you think. Tell Him what you want. Share all your thoughts, feelings, and desires with God. Share everything with Him. Once you’ve shared everything with God, receive. Listen to what He’s telling you. It could be a subtle voice you hear. It could be a memory that pops up. Maybe He invites you to re-read the Scripture passage.

Perhaps you feel something in your body. Perhaps he invites you into a still, restful, silence. Trust that God is listening to you and receive what He wants to share with you.

Now respond however you want. It could be more conversation. It could be a resolution. It could be tears or laughter. Respond to what you’re receiving.

Finally, journal. Keep a record this Advent of what your prayer was like. It doesn’t have to be earth shattering, it could be a sentence or two about what God told you or how that day’s reflection struck you.

Regardless of how you do it—journal. iv

Journey to Jerusalem Ash Wednesday

Determined

“When the days for His being taken up were fulfilled, He resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51) Our journey with Jesus begins as Jesus begins His journey to Jerusalem. The ninth chapter of the Gospel of Luke is of critical importance. Jesus sends out the twelve with authority “over all demons” (Luke 9:1). He feeds the 5,000 (Luke 9:10-17) and Peter acknowledges that Jesus is indeed the long-awaited Messiah (Luke 9:18-21). However, the story explodes with tension when Jesus confesses that the “Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed” (Luke 9:22).

Jesus admits the destiny that instigates His journey to Jerusalem.

Thus, in Luke 9:51 we hear that “When the days for His being taken up were fulfilled, He resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem.”

Jesus was “determined.” With His Passion and death awaiting Him at the end of his journey, Jesus was “resolutely determined” to start the journey.

Just as Jesus is starting a sacred journey, we too are starting the journey of Lent—and a journey with Jesus. For many of us, Lent is a time when we adopt Lenten penances, special commitments to God, so that we may grow in holiness. However, too often our Lenten penances take the shape of our New Year’s resolutions; we mean well at the beginning, however, when life gets busy our determination atrophies and we give up. As Jesus is determined to fulfill His journey, are you determined to follow Him? Are you “resolutely determined” to follow Him? Jesus is looking at you … right now.

He is asking … right now. Are you determined to go all the way to Jerusalem?

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Journey to Jerusalem FOR YOUR PRAYER

Imaginatively pray with Luke 9:18-22, 9:51.

Talk with Jesus about your determination ... to go all the way.

“Jesus, I want to grow in my relationship with you. Help me to know you personally so that I may follow you all the way to Jerusalem.”

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Journey to Jerusalem Thursday Following Ash Wednesday

Inflated

“In the beginning” (Mark 10:6) So, why are we on this journey? Why did Jesus come? Why the incarnation? Why Lent? Why are we walking together?

To understand Jesus, to understand this journey, we have to understand that this life is not “as good as it gets.” We live in a world obsessed with diversion: we long for the weekend, we anticipate vacation, we relish fantasy. However, is that the way it is supposed to be?

In Theology of the Body Explained, Christopher West writes, “without reference to God’s original plan and its hope of restoration in Christ, people tend to accept discord ... ‘as just the way it is.’”1 Sound familiar? Do you think this life is as good as it gets? Are you hungry for more in life? What are you hungry for?

West continues, “When we normalize our fallen state, it is akin to thinking it normal to driving with flat tires. We intuit that something is amiss, but when everyone drives around in the same state we lack a point of reference for anything different.”2 Think about it. If we all tend to think that this life is as good as it gets, then perhaps we’re missing something and we don’t even know it. Your heart, your life is the “tire”. Perfect communion with God, His love for us, and our love for Him, is the “air” for our tires. And, “in the beginning” we all had air in our tires. In God’s original plan, we were fully “inflated” with God’s perfect love.

As Jesus begins the journey to Jerusalem He “went to the region of Judea” and “the crowds gathered to Him.” (Mark 10:1) Amidst the crowds are Pharisees who question Jesus about marriage and divorce. Jesus’ quick response is intentional as He says, “in the beginning of creation” it was not so. (Mark 10:6) The Pharisees have been seduced by mediocrity. Their question about divorce stems from their experience of the discord within marriage. Their marriages are flat, 3

Journey to Jerusalem their lives are flat—and they think that’s normal. Jesus’ response, in a sense says, “Your tires aren’t supposed to be flat. God originally intended for you to drive with air in your tires. Your life is supposed to be full of joy, peace, and love.”

Your life is supposed to be full of joy, peace, and love. You were created to drive with “inflated tires.” Yet, sometimes we get distracted from the truth. So, how are your “tires”? Are you “inflated”? What are you hungry for? What do you want this Lent? What do you really want?

FOR YOUR PRAYER

Imaginatively pray with Mark 10:46-52. Be in the scene. You are Bartimaeus. Jesus looks at you and asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” How do you respond? What do you really want?

“Jesus, I ask for the grace today to hear your voice and see your face.

Elicit within me great desires so that I may want what you want.”

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Journey to Jerusalem Friday Following Ash Wednesday

Flat

“Because of the hardness of your hearts” (Mark 10:5) Recall Christopher West’s insight from yesterday: “In the beginning” (Genesis 1:1) we all had air in our tires. In God’s original plan, Adam and Eve enjoyed perfect bliss in the Garden of Eden. Their “tires” (hearts) were inflated. Their lives were completely imbued with love—perfect love. The icon of this perfect love is found in marriage. “In the beginning” Adam and Eve enjoyed a perfect marriage with each other (Genesis 2:24-25). And, what was true of their marriage with each other was true of their relationship with God. Adam and Eve had a perfect marriage because there existed a perfect marriage between God and humanity.

However, Genesis 2 is followed by Genesis 3: the Fall of Adam and Eve. With the Fall, our “tires” lost their air. In Genesis 2, God’s perfect love inflated all of creation. In Genesis 3, God’s original plan is disrupted by the Fall. There is a break between Adam and Eve, between God and humanity. The once perfect marriage of Adam and Eve becomes flat, and all of creation falls from perfect union with God. The perfectly inflated marriage between God and humanity was disrupted. Now everyone drives with flat tires—and we think this is how life is supposed to be. When Jesus responds to the Pharisees in Mark 10, He points out that their question stems from “the hardness of your hearts” (Mark 10:5). Their hearts are hardened because of the Fall. Instead of being inflated, their hearts have become flat.

How would you describe your life, your heart? Are you tired? Have you believed the lie that this life is as good as it gets? What are you hungry for? What if Jesus could change your life and restore your joy, peace, and love? What do you really want?

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Journey to Jerusalem FOR YOUR PRAYER

Imaginatively pray with John 15:1-16, especially verse 11.

Be with Jesus. What stirs in your heart as He speaks of joy?

Again today, Jesus looks at you and asks, “What do you want me to do for you?”

How do you respond? What do you want?

“Jesus, I ask for the grace today to hear your voice and see your face.

Elicit within me great desires so that I may want what you want.”

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Journey to Jerusalem Saturday Following Ash Wednesday

Restore

“I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10) Jesus is firm with the Pharisees: “What God has joined together, no human being must separate.” (Mark 10:9) Jesus’ response to the Pharisees, and for the disciples who were with Him, sounds, at first glance, strict and unyielding. However, let us return to Christopher West: “Without reference to God’s original plan and its hope of restoration in Christ, people tend to accept discord ... ‘as just the way it is.’” 3 In other words, if we really believe that we are supposed to live with flat tires, then of course we’ll judge Jesus’ words as harsh and unyielding. However, Jesus’ message is not meant to condemn but to invite. In other words, Jesus has come to inflate our “tires.” Jesus has come to restore that which God intended “in the beginning.” Jesus has come to redeem us and restore the communion with God that was once enjoyed in the Garden.

Why are we on this journey? Why did Jesus come? Why the Incarnation? Because God “so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3:16). The Incarnation happened because God wanted to reconcile us to Himself in perfect union. Jesus came so that we might live without flat tires. Jesus Himself tells us, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

“In the beginning,” perfect love inflated the world and all of mankind was married to God. Because of the Fall, we lost that perfect marriage and perfect love. Flat tires became the norm. Jesus, however, comes to restore. Jesus comes to wed humanity back to God. Jesus comes to restore all of creation, to put “air” back in our tires.

That’s why we are on this journey. That’s why Jesus came. That’s why He’s determined to make it to Jerusalem: for love, to restore creation, to restore your life.

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Journey to Jerusalem FOR YOUR PRAYER

Imaginatively pray with John 10:1-11. Be with Jesus.

What stirs in your heart when He speaks of life and abundance?

Again today, Jesus looks at you and asks, “What do you want me to do for you?”

How do you respond? What do you want?

“Jesus, I ask for the grace today to hear your voice and see your face.

Elicit within me great desires so that I may want what you want.”

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Journey to Jerusalem

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Journey to Jerusalem

The First Week of Lent

LOVE Amidst t he many images t hat f i l l t he s ac re d p age s of S cr ipture, none c aptu re s t he he ar t of G o d b etter t han love.

G od i s L ove.

Je sus and t he Fat he r are one: one in mind, one in he ar t , and one in love.

To u nde rst and Je sus’ de ter m inat ion on t he j our ne y to Je r us a lem one must u nde rst and Jesus.

O ne must e x p e r ie nc e t he he ar t of Jesus w h ich is a he ar t of love.

O u r f i rst we ek of L e nt f inds us w it h Jesus.

O u r f i rst we ek of L e nt f inds us im mers e d in love.

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Journey to Jerusalem Sunday of the First Week of Lent

Bridegroom

“Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” (Matthew 9:15) During the initial stages of the journey, the disciples of John the Baptist approach Jesus and question Him: “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” (Matthew 9:14) Their inquiry has less to do with dietary curiosity and much more to do with their longing to know whether Jesus is the Messiah. John was adamant that he was not the Messiah (Matthew 3:11-12; John 3:22-30) and his disciples knew it. As faithful Jews awaiting the Messiah, John’s disciples are in a sense asking Jesus, “Are you the one we’ve been waiting for?” Jesus’ response may seem cryptic to the naked eye; however, Jesus’ affirmation that He is indeed the Messiah was veiled in language as deep as the Scriptures themselves.

While many Jews were awaiting a Messianic king (2nd Samuel 7:12), the remnant core of Israel were awaiting the Bridegroom Messiah who would wed humanity with God. In both Isaiah 54 and 62 we read of God’s desire to “be your husband” and “marry a virgin.” The Bible itself is filled with references to marriage. It starts with the marriage of Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:24) and ends with the marriage of the Lamb and His Bride (Revelation 21:2). Close the Bible and find the exact middle of the Scriptures and we find the Song of Songs, the love poetry between the Bride and Bridegroom.

Thus, Jesus responds to their question: “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?” (Matthew 9:15) Jesus proclaims that He is the Messiah, the long awaited one of the Old Testament. Jesus is journeying to Jerusalem because it is there that He will give Himself fully (the Cross) for His bride (the Church).

In his 1994 Letter to Families Pope John Paul II wrote that “by describing Himself as a Bridegroom, Jesus reveals the essence of God and 11

Journey to Jerusalem confirms His immense love for mankind ... In this way He indicated the fulfillment in His own person of the image of God the Bridegroom, which had already been used in the Old Testament, in order to reveal fully the mystery of God as the mystery of love.”4 Jesus loves humanity that much. He loves you that much. While you may never have considered His love in such a way, spend the day with Jesus and ask Him to reveal His heart—a heart of love.

FOR YOUR PRAYER

Imaginatively pray with Matthew 9:14-17.

Be with Jesus. Ask Him to explain His love as a Bridegroom.

“Jesus, I want to grow in my relationship with you.

I desire to know you personally and how you particularly love me.”

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Ordained in 2001, Fr. Mark Toups is a priest for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, where he has served as Chancellor of the Diocese since October of 2015. Prior to becoming Chancellor, Fr. Mark served the Diocese as Director of Seminarians for 12 years, as well as Pastor of several parishes.

In addition, Fr. Toups is an adjunct staff member of the Institute for Priestly Formation, where he serves as a professor, spiritual director, and program coordinator for the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola 30-Day retreat.

Fr. Toups received his Masters of Divinity from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. A college graduate of Nicholls State University; he is a native of Houma, LA. The Institute for Priestly Formation

2500 California Plaza Omaha, NE 68178 www.priestlyformation.org

Copyright Š 2008 Reverend Mark Toups All rights reserved. This retreat may not be reproduced without the permission of Reverend Mark Toups.

Printed in the United States of America.

All Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Bible.

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